Feliz Navidad, burning dolls, and recent happenings

Bethlehem in the Jungle




Roman soldier out of cardboard.

One Christmas program.  400 invited.  60 students. One Jungle.  

The night of the program really began weeks before: building structures for each class, sending invitations, cutting down trees, cutting up cardboard to make an awesome Roman soldier costume.  I walked over the rocks with my time spreadsheets and colored wristbands.  My walk was directed by the focus needed to coordinate the event.  I almost forgot what I was wearing.

I saw this face.  It was not until I passed by it and some shepherds that I remembered.  Oh, sweet little Erick.  Fear and confusion were in his eyes as he asked, “Miss Keri?!????????”

Erick the shepherd.

About 2 hours later, and after yelling “RAPIDO!” MUEVETE!” in my best Spanish Roman soldier accent, we only had 1 group left.
  
But then, the sky opened up.  Completely.  

I forgot that I live in the rain-forest.   “AYUDAME!” I looked to the right and saw parents desperately scurrying for shelter underneath the little tent coverings.  “LLUVIA!” I examined the left and saw teachers desperately trying to cover speakers and other electrical equipment.  The rain was not sprinkling, or even pouring, it seemed like it was trying to flood the entire property.  

What are we going to do?



They made this thing out of leaves. 

These people are going to kill me.  

Can I magically create 40 umbrellas for the last group of parents?

I wish I was Mary Poppins.  She is good at these things. 




Somehow it just happened.  Roberto directed us to the extra tent. The team of youth and I grabbed it and followed the last group of parents covering them as we soaked ourselves throughout Bethlehem. The last group finished singing to Mary and Joseph and then there was applause.  Such a sweet sound.  We made it.  And even with smiles as parents and children left running for home despite the downpour.  

Mi Navidad

Thanks to the wonderful Christy, friends and I had the opportunity to spend Christmas in the cold of Quito.  Fire sizzling, my first turkey cooking, Michael Buble singing, cheesecake preparing, Christmas lights sparkling, and advent wreath glowing.  Oh, and since it’s Ecuador, don’t forget those fireworks exploding.  It was absolutely refreshing :) During this time, I desperately missed dear loved ones living continents away, but I also realized how much thankfulness I have. Specifically, for the little Christmas things and for a Savior who is always with me (and cannot be separated by longitudes or latitudes).  

He was a baby, a child, a man, and then died-- for me.  How often do I fail to be thankful for that remarkable and astonishing fact throughout the year?  Please read this post from a friend who poses the question “Merry Christmas....now what?”

I want to VIBRANTLY live for Him, glorify Him, and give thanks to Him all year round. Not just at Christmas.

The Ecuador New Year vs. My New Year

Possible poison from that warlike rainfall or water filtration issues kept me away from New Year's shenanigans.  I stayed curled up in bed listening to Cumbia and Salsa music blasting from across the river.  Soon, the music intertwined with firework screeches and squalls.  My new favorite possession is my large pack of earplugs I keep beside my bed.  

I did get a chance to watch the ball drop on YouTube....I think it was from 2013.  Whoops.   

I think New Year's Eve really turns into New Year's week here.  Fireworks begin detonating days before 2014 even starts thinking about showing up.   One of the biggest traditions is the burning of these almost human-size dolls called "Los Años Viejos" (The Old Years).  Almost the minute after Christmas ends, the streets start lining up with these effigies with faces anywhere from politicians to Spiderman.  At the stroke of midnight, people burn their doll in hopes to burn away the old year in order to be ready for the new.  All of the bad of the year is cast upon the doll, that "dies" at midnight as it is burned in flames.  As Ecuadorian friends were telling me about the tradition, my mind thought about the cultural training I received at Missions Training International just a few months ago.  I thought this tradition would have made it to the discussion list--- aspects of the culture.

 Burning cardboard and sand dust will not make sufferings, mistakes, or the bad disappear.  How then is there good news for 2014? What must we do?  It is not what we must do, but what He did.  My hope for this year is that more Ecuadorians will know He who says "Behold, I make all things new." -Revelation 21:5 

Latest Happenings

I am a busy lady.  We have the end of our semester rushing upon us, so I am of course frantically grading, exam planning, thinking about climbing trees with some monkeys, etc.  I do love going into town to see these little ones on the right :)

Prayer requests:

Nurse team that will be here soon

Drama/Youth will be restarting officially next week

Fundraising for a car/scooter into town for transportation

Fundraising for the youth group

Much love and more updates to come!

1 John 4:7,

Keri 

OH I KNOW YOU WERE WAITING FOR IT.  ROMAN SOLDIER PARTY TIME.